Tai Chi exercises 'improve control of type two diabetes'
01 Apr 2008
Tai Chi exercises can improve the control of type two diabetes, a new study suggests today.
Researchers in Taiwan found that the traditional Chinese martial art could improve people's immune response and reduce excess blood sugar.
Type two diabetes is associated with chronic inflammation caused by excessive glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia).
The researchers studied the impact of a 12-week programme of Tai Chi exercises on the T helper cell activity of 30 patients with type two diabetes and 30 healthy people of the same age.
T cells work in the immune system and produce interleukins, which alter the immune response.
Writing in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the researchers say after the programme glycated haemoglobin (when excess blood sugar combines with the oxygen transporter in red blood cells) levels fell significantly from 7.59 per cent to 7.16 per cent in the diabetic patients.
Levels of interleukin-12, which boosts the immune response, doubled, while levels of interleukin-4, which suppresses the immune response, fell.
The researchers also saw a significant increase in T cell activity.
"A combination of [Tai Chi] exercise with medication may result in an even better improvement in both metabolism and immunity of patients with type two diabetes," they conclude.
Cathy Moulton, care advisor at Diabetes UK, described the study as "interesting" and said it confirms the importance of moderate exercise in managing type two diabetes.
"Good diabetes control reduces people's risk of developing serious complications such as heart disease, stroke and blindness," she added.
"Diabetes UK recommends that people with diabetes do a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on at least five days of the week.
"In addition to the importance of moderate physical activity, the relaxation element of Tai Chi may help to reduce stress levels, preventing the release of adrenalin which can lead to insulin resistance and high blood glucose levels."
Moderate activity should leave people feeling warm and slightly breathless.
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